Arsenal Set to Beat Liverpool To Loan Capture Of Alvaro Morata After Dramatic Bernabeu U-Turn

Arsenal are now the favourites to land in-demand Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata on loan until the end of the season after los Blancos performed a dramatic U-turn regarding the availability of the young Spaniard this month, according to reports in the London Evening Standard.

Until just a few days ago, the Liga giants were adamant that Morata would not be allowed to leave the Santiago Bernabeu during the January transfer window, either on a short-term deal or a permanent move.

However, with Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti now favouring young forward Jese Rodriguez ahead of Morata as his main back-up attacker to first-choice front man Karim Benzema in the Spanish capital, the club have decided to change their mind and allow the 21-year-old to depart on a six-month loan deal, but with no option for a permanent move come the end of the season though, following a meeting earlier this week with the player’s agent.

As a result, all that now needs to be finalised is the fee for the loan – thought to be €2m – and which club Morata will join this month, with the likes of Liverpool and Inter Milan also understood to be interested in the Spain Under-21 international.

But it is thought that both Madrid and Morata favour a move to Arsenal in the belief the Gunners will offer the marksman more playing time between now and the summer, with the Spaniard set to complete his switch to the capital by the end of January.